Best Beatles album [Archive]

DANGERMOUSE

29-01-2003, 01:18 PM

The rules are simple: you're allowed up to three votes and I've included in the poll only the original albums as released in the U.K. (so no Partridge-style 'Best of the Beatles' soft options). So, which are your favourite Beatles albums, and why?

Mine, in chronological order, are:

[list=1] With the Beatles. A great up-tempo rock & roll album. The whole album hangs together superbly, with some definitive cover versions (including 'Roll Over Beethoven', 'Please Mr. Postman', 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me') mixed in with great original rockers ('It Won't Be Long', 'Hold Me Tight', 'Little Child'). Their best album for a party.
Rubber Soul. For me, this is when the songwriting grows up. George chips in with one of his best songs ('If I Needed Someone'), and John and Paul provide so many classics, it's almost boring to list them: 'Drive My Car', 'Norwegian Wood', 'The Word', 'Michelle', 'Girl', 'In My Life'... The playing is relatively simple and quiet, but always provides a sound backing for the lyrics. All in all, their most consistently-good work, great to shut your eyes to and relax: my absolute favourite.
Abbey Road. The final album to be recorded, comes a close second to Rubber Soul. George produces probably the best songs he's ever recorded ('Something', 'Here Comes the Sun') and the side 2 medley is superlative. It's probably the album which sounds its age the least.[/list=1]

Elephant with mouse gyp

29-01-2003, 01:25 PM

If Revolver doesn't win I don't know what I will do.

Al From Bromley

29-01-2003, 01:28 PM

"The Beatles 1" - its got 27 number ones on it.

Del Gland

29-01-2003, 01:39 PM

WHERE'S THE WHITE ALBUM....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Gatecrasher

29-01-2003, 01:42 PM

Originally posted by Elephant with mouse gyp
If Revolver doesn't win I don't know what I will do.

Good shout.

Neil the Eagle

29-01-2003, 01:44 PM

Led Zeppelin IV

El Aguila

29-01-2003, 01:47 PM

I agree with the little fella with the twitchy nose - they were actually quite a fair rock'n'roll band before they forgot their roots and started poncing around with the arrangemnts with that old dude in London. Now, I'm off to start something similar which I was planning on my way in this morning.

baroli

29-01-2003, 03:21 PM

Beatles for Sale had 14 potential No. 1s but no UK single came from it.

It showed the Beatles covered some Rock 'n' Roll artists' songs better than the originals.

Carried the best pop song in the History of the Universe - Eight days a Week

El Aguila

29-01-2003, 03:23 PM

Anyway - whichever one it was - it surely wasn't Sgt. Pepper's?

DANGERMOUSE

29-01-2003, 03:27 PM

Originally posted by El Aguila
Anyway - whichever one it was - it surely wasn't Sgt. Pepper's? I'd hope not, but then it blew everything else away when it was released. I remember reading a quote from McCartney (I think) about how he went to a Hendrix gig the day Pepper's was released, and Jimi opened up with the title track. It sounds a bit dated now, though.

But, with hindsight, Revolver (or at least 'Tomorrow Never Knows') was the most groundbreaking - the Chemical Brothers have been failing for years to copy it properly.

Hugh Cheddyk

29-01-2003, 03:27 PM

I'm with baroli on this one - Beatles for Sale is the only album I have on 33rpm and CD

DANGERMOUSE

29-01-2003, 03:29 PM

Originally posted by Hugh Cheddyk
I'm with baroli on this one - Beatles for Sale is the only album I have on 33rpm and CD I like the sleevenotes - something about cigar-smoking kids on Saturn, or something. :p

ozeagle

29-01-2003, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Del Gland
WHERE'S THE WHITE ALBUM....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

exactly,
the best, easily.
nothing like going into a couple of days hibernation, getting a case of beer, and slapping on the box set...
heaven on earth
:)

Maidstoned Eagle

29-01-2003, 03:34 PM

A sixties version of Take That.

c_block_lad

29-01-2003, 03:42 PM

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

El Aguila

29-01-2003, 03:46 PM

C-Block lad has spoken. Closure is ours. Come on lads, pack up......

DANGERMOUSE

29-01-2003, 04:20 PM

Quite surprised A Hard Day's Night hasn't yet got any votes.

Fountainhead

29-01-2003, 05:23 PM

Mid period Beatles for me....

Help - Rubber soul - Revolver

If i had to choose one song it would have to be In My Life. Always brings a lump to my throat

Ruskin Old Boy

29-01-2003, 05:45 PM

2199

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
Quite surprised A Hard Day's Night hasn't yet got any votes.

Got one of mine:p Great album ...

Still have a soft spot for the Rutles - 'Tragical History Tour' - superbo:)

BaldEagle96

29-01-2003, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by Neil the Eagle
Led Zeppelin IV

Much prefer Led Zepplin 1 but for this vote I went for Let It Be. Only person to do so - so far. What's wrong with it....

Thanet Eagle

29-01-2003, 06:29 PM

Has to be Revolver.Definately their finest album,every track is quality.

westsussexeagle

29-01-2003, 06:30 PM

1 Rubber Soul (the just started experimenting with album)
2 Revolver (Now seriously using - but perhaps too much)
3 With The Beatles (Great from cover to end. Got it for Xmas and only spoiled by the fact that my Mum liked All My Loving!)

Twyford Bee

29-01-2003, 11:34 PM

Since I only had sporadic access to their albums (ie when I'm at home and can borrow them from my dad), I'm not hugely familiar with all the tracks on all the albums. However, I know Revolver and Sgt. Pepper well enough to vote for them, and I gave my 3rd vote to Magical Mystery Tour, since the "album" had all the tracks from the double-EP and all the hit singles of the era as well. Rubber Soul would probably be a strong candidate if I knew the album as a whole a bit better, I only know isolated tracks at the moment.

Baloo

30-01-2003, 08:07 AM

My vote has gone for Abbey Road. Whilst not musically the most accomplished album (although it still boasts the magnificance of Come Together, Something, Here Comes the Sun, You Never Give Me Your Money and the genius medley on "side B" culminating in the lump-in-throat-inducing The End) I cannot help but feel transfixed by the notion that this album was recorded while the Beatles were in the process of self-destruction and on the literal verge of one of the most acrimonious band splits ever.

The White Album and Hard Day's Night (I know, I know, two completely different ends of the Beatles spectrum) come a tied second.

Strangely, With the Beatles is the only Beatles album I don't have, but seeing some of the comments on this thread, maybe I should change that...

And another thing - when are people going to realise that the majority of the best Beatles tracks were never released as singles? If I was to compile a "Best Of", I suspect the majority of tracks would be album tracks which weren't released as singles. But Oh No, we have to have YET ANOTHER singles compilation. A shame.

GUCCI Eagle

30-01-2003, 08:23 AM

The Beatles were rubbish. Paul McCartney is still rubbish.

A mad case of:

'Everyone else liked them and so should I'

What's more is that they were the stimulus for such toilet as Oasis.

Yet again, I also believe that Shakespeare in its raw form is both boring and a waste of time. Good ideas though.

Sandhurst Eagle

30-01-2003, 08:39 AM

Hard Day's Night is the only album with all Lennon-McCartney songs is is one of the highspots of their career.
These days when groups take about 2 years to record an album it's amazing to think that The Beatles went in the studio in October 1965 to record Rubber Soul with only half of it written and by early December the album was in the shops together with the Day Tripper/We Can Work It Out single.
Another great Beatles pastiche is Deface the Music by Utopia

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by Ruskin Old Boy
Got one of mine:p Great album ...

Still have a soft spot for the Rutles - 'Tragical History Tour' - superbo:) I've got the Rutles complilation and video. Hilarious, but it really does help to know a lot about the Beatles: Allan Klein = Ron Decline... :D

Al From Bromley

30-01-2003, 08:56 AM

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
The Beatles were rubbish. Paul McCartney is still rubbish.

A mad case of:

'Everyone else liked them and so should I'

What's more is that they were the stimulus for such toilet as Oasis.

Yet again, I also believe that Shakespeare in its raw form is both boring and a waste of time. Good ideas though.

You don't usually spout nonsense, but on this occasion you have. At the time the beatles were around it was never a case of "everyone else likes them so should I". They were successful on merit. They wrote songs that were ahead of their time. Other have since tried to copy their formula, such was its success. Better to have said "it was before my time so therefore I don't have an informed view on them". Put it this way, such was their allure that when they first appeared on US tv, the country virtually came to a standstill. Love them or loathe them, there is no denying that they were revolutionary at the time and have left a lasting impression on musicians who have followed since.

PS - I too think Shapkespeare is a load of old toot, but then I was wasn't around at the time. I certainly wouldnt say that everyone else liked him and thus so should I. That would be a bit naive.

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by Baloo
And another thing - when are people going to realise that the majority of the best Beatles tracks were never released as singles? If I was to compile a "Best Of", I suspect the majority of tracks would be album tracks which weren't released as singles. But Oh No, we have to have YET ANOTHER singles compilation. A shame. Exactly. The problem with 1 is that the gimmick gets in the way of the album being truly definitive - what's the point of bringing out a Beatles compilation if the number 1s concept means it doesn't include 'Strawberry Fields Forever', surely the best single recorded ever??? :confused: :bash: :confused:

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by Al's Rose Tinted Specs
You don't usually spout nonsense, but on this occasion you have. At the time the beatles were around it was never a case of "everyone else likes them so should I". They were successful on merit. They wrote songs that were ahead of their time. Other have since tried to copy their formula, such was its success. Better to have said "it was before my time so therefore I don't have an informed view on them". Put it this way, such was their allure that when they first appeared on US tv, the country virtually came to a standstill. Love them or loathe them, there is no denying that they were revolutionary at the time and have left a lasting impression on musicians who have followed since. Hear, hear. I listened to Pick of the Pops on Radio 2 last week, doing a Top 15 from 1962. It was rubbish, full of trite, twee nonsense. No wonder the Beatles (and other beat groups) blew it all away when they crashed onto the scene.

Al From Bromley

30-01-2003, 09:05 AM

A good point Dangermouse, however "1" is good to shove on the CD if you just want a quick trip down Beatles memory lane.

GUCCI Eagle

30-01-2003, 09:11 AM

They're still rubbish.

El Aguila

30-01-2003, 09:21 AM

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
'Strawberry Fields Forever', surely the best single recorded ever??? :confused: :bash: :confused:
Oh, bloody hell.

Twyford Bee

30-01-2003, 09:36 AM

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
Exactly. The problem with 1 is that the gimmick gets in the way of the album being truly definitive - what's the point of bringing out a Beatles compilation if the number 1s concept means it doesn't include 'Strawberry Fields Forever', surely the best single recorded ever??? :confused: :bash: :confused:

I don't like No.1-only compilations because of the reason you give: Where's Please Please Me? Why Penny Lane, but no Strawberry Fields? There's also several songs on there which weren't singles in the UK, e.g. 8 days a week, the Long and Winding road.

I wouldn't buy "Elvis: the 30 #1 Hits" for the same reason, how can you make an Elvis compilation and not have Blue Suede Shoes? Madness! The Essential Collection is just as good in my opinion.

I suppose if you want a more comprehensive compilation, 1962-66 and 1967-70 are about as good as they get, and you could probably fit them onto an 80 minute CD each as well, just about. Time for the single CD re-releases yet?

El Aguila

30-01-2003, 09:45 AM

I hate this pantheon crap. How can you possibly say what was the best single ever? And the best back pass? And the best shoe? And the best piece of paper?

Gooders

30-01-2003, 09:54 AM

Pantheon? Doesn't that word belong on the Floyd thread?

Each to their own - if Gucci thinks The Beatles were crap, that's his opinion.

I took a long time to warm to them (and never have liked McCartney because he's such a twonk) and even now I have to be in the right mood to listen to them.

However, I don't think any band anywhere in the world ever has been on such a lengthy creative streak as they were in their heyday.

I think that they are largely responsible for revolutionising music and inspiring a lot of brilliant people to make the best decade of music that there has ever been and will ever be.

A lot of rubbish is talked about the sixties, but musically at least it was the most marvellous era.

TAK

30-01-2003, 10:06 AM

Originally posted by Del Gland
WHERE'S THE WHITE ALBUM....AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

I've just put it up there now a bit late to make the running but it gets my vote anyway.

DM probably missed it out as it wasn't pop enough.

David Murray

30-01-2003, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by El Aguila
How can you possibly say what was the best single ever?

My Missus was :love:

And the best back pass?

Mine in the 1964 boys relay

And the best shoe?

The lucky horeshoe (pub) ;)

And the best piece of paper?
Toilet paper without a doubt !

I'll pack my wardrobe.

Smurph

30-01-2003, 10:28 AM

Smurph

30-01-2003, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by El Aguila
I hate this pantheon crap. How can you possibly say what was the best single ever? And the best back pass? And the best shoe? And the best piece of paper?

Oh, and while were at it, I think the best pantheon is the one in Athens.

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by TAK
I've just put it up there now a bit late to make the running but it gets my vote anyway.

DM probably missed it out as it wasn't pop enough. That'll be the poll entry with 13 votes labelled The Beatles (a.k.a. 'The White Album') then?

Honestly... :rolleyes:

El Aguila

30-01-2003, 10:53 AM

"Paint it Black", anyway.

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by El Aguila
I hate this pantheon crap. How can you possibly say what was the best single ever? And the best back pass? And the best shoe? And the best piece of paper? Well, it's the the song that makes me tingle each time I hear it. Just like 'I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself', 'Tracks of My Tears', 'Live Forever', 'You Can Wear My Hat', etc.

Al From Bromley

30-01-2003, 10:57 AM

This thread (along with some others) reminds me of Jack Black in that Nick Hornby film "High Fidelity". The futile rows about what their top 5 R & B songs or whatever.

El Aguila

30-01-2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
Well, it's the the song that makes me tingle each time I hear it. Just like 'I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself',
What is it with that song, though? I haven't been able to get it out of my head for six months........ and now, to cap it all, the White Stripes cover it on the new album. Maybe I'm in mid-life crisis....

GUCCI Eagle

30-01-2003, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by El Aguila
"Paint it Black", anyway.

Now that is good.

PS. the Beatles were also responsible for the most stupid hairstyle ever.

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 11:05 AM

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
PS. the Beatles were also responsible for the most stupid hairstyle ever. I think you'll find the mullet originated with Wings...

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 11:06 AM

... and

El Aguila

30-01-2003, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
Now that is good.

And inspired that heartbreaking anthem to teenage lust, "Thirteen" by Big Star (lyrics here): http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/big-star/28866.htm

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 11:07 AM

... and ...

Smurph

30-01-2003, 11:24 AM

Band on the Run

GUCCI Eagle

30-01-2003, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
I think you'll find the mullet originated with Wings...

I was reffering to the 'beatnik' or whateffer it's called. The mullet has remained eternal, it's an immortal haircut.

philaire

30-01-2003, 11:41 AM

Happy to nudge Revolver into outright #1 position. I can reveal I saw the Beatles at Centennial Hall Adelaide in June 1964, aged ... 6. Typical of that period they played for no more than about 30 minutes. This was the day that about 300,000 people lined the streets from the airport to the city centre. You could say there was a slight dose of Beatlemania.

Latvian

30-01-2003, 12:02 PM

None - I don't like the beatles

philaire

30-01-2003, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by Latvian
None - I don't like the beatles Thanks for adding immeasurably to the rich fabric of this thread!:rolleyes:

Baloo

30-01-2003, 03:44 PM

Actually, for the record, in my opinion the best Beatles album-that-should-have-been was All Things Must Pass.

DANGERMOUSE

30-01-2003, 04:04 PM

Originally posted by Baloo
Actually, for the record, in my opinion the best Beatles album-that-should-have-been was All Things Must Pass. Certainly a classic in its own right, but if you took the cream of that and added it to the best of Imagine and of McCartney (assuming it's any good - never heard it myself), and maybe even chucked in Ringo's 'It Don't Come Easy' for good measure, then you are looking at potentially the best Beatles album. Given that George was hitting his peak 1969-71, there's every chance he could have got more songs than Paul.

But maybe that's just a daydream...

humpo

30-01-2003, 04:32 PM

revolver please

Tim of the 80's

30-01-2003, 08:54 PM

Originally posted by Al's Rose Tinted Specs
This thread (along with some others) reminds me of Jack Black in that Nick Hornby film "High Fidelity". The futile rows about what their top 5 R & B songs or whatever.

High Fidelity completely nails that sort of male behaviour, But who cares? Count me in for futility.:)

Uncle Brod

30-01-2003, 09:27 PM

Originally posted by Neil the Eagle
Led Zeppelin IV

No way !!!!! Physical Graffiti !
Oh okay, I voted for Rubber Soul.

Al From Bromley

30-01-2003, 11:07 PM

It's not unusual for those who were too young to experience the beatles to dismiss them as rubbish. What these whippersnappers fail to appreciate is that they were, at the time, a true phenomenon, literally brining cities to a standstill pretty much wherever they went. What have we got these days that can hold a candle to that sort of stuff?

GUCCI Eagle

31-01-2003, 08:33 AM

I think you should watch Star Wars then Al, I've got it at home, I'll bring it round.

greybot

06-06-2003, 03:09 PM

Last night I depressed myself by trying to watch the British charts on some poxy music channel. I changed the channel and stumbled across the beatles in a cartoon role, singing songs whilst traveling in a yellow submarine and then stumbling across some grotesque monsters that had hidden their instruments. They fended off the giant beasts by singing beatles songs. It was FANTASTIC!! So surreal and yet so compelling!!

Never before had I come across something so old yet so original. My point being, music now is crap (with a few exceptions) and I wish I'd lived my teenage years during this era. Does anyone know what this cartoon film was called?

Ruskin Old Boy

06-06-2003, 04:06 PM

Yellow Submarine

First saw it in the Academy, Oxford Street in 1960 something :o

Al From Bromley

06-06-2003, 05:21 PM

I saw 'Help' at one of my first ever trips to the cinema.

gator

06-06-2003, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
They're still rubbish.
rubbish??
No other band has had the impact on popular music as the Beatles.
Totally changed the course of music.
Nearly all music that has been on the charts in the past 40 years has been directly or indirectly due to the Beatles influence.

END OF.

by the way, never cared for anything McCarthey has done solo.

Scoey9000

06-06-2003, 05:48 PM

Revolver for me
'Tomorrow Never Knows' being my favourite Beatles track by a long distance

gator

06-06-2003, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
PS. the Beatles were also responsible for the most stupid hairstyle ever.
Let's see how funny looking that hair cut of yours looks 25 or 30 years from now.;)

Twyford Bee

07-06-2003, 01:02 AM

Originally posted by Twyford Bee
Since I only had sporadic access to their albums (ie when I'm at home and can borrow them from my dad), I'm not hugely familiar with all the tracks on all the albums. However, I know Revolver and Sgt. Pepper well enough to vote for them, and I gave my 3rd vote to Magical Mystery Tour, since the "album" had all the tracks from the double-EP and all the hit singles of the era as well. Rubber Soul would probably be a strong candidate if I knew the album as a whole a bit better, I only know isolated tracks at the moment.

With the benefit of another few months hindsight, I'd put Rubber Soul about MMT in my top 3 now. Lots of good stuff on there.